Guwahati, Jan 10: Amid rescue operation conducted by the NDRF, Indian army, Indian Navy and Assam Rifles to rescue the bodies of the 17 labourers from coal mine site in Umrongso, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) staged protests in all district headquarters across the state on Friday, accusing the BJP-led government of enabling an illegal coal syndicate following the tragic Umrongso coal mine incident, in which more than 17 labourers were believed to be killed.
The protests, led by APCC president Bhupen Kumar Borah, sought accountability for the deaths of workers trapped in illegal mining operations in Dima Hasao district.
Hundreds of Congress workers and supporters gathered at Manabendra Sarma Complex in Guwahati, demanding immediate government action against those behind the coal syndicate.
Borah questioned Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s failure to act against illegal mining despite the Supreme Court’s ban on rat-hole mining in the Northeast.
“The Chief Minister claimed he would act like a tiger against corruption involving Rs 2,000. Where is the tiger now?” Borah asked pointedly.
Borah accused the administration of granting permits to influential figures, including Konika Hojai, wife of CEM Debolal Gorlosa, to conduct rat-hole mining.
“We have evidence that AMDC is collecting revenue from coal transportation linked to this illegal operation. Who is the kingpin of this syndicate,” he questioned.
Borah asserted that if Sarma had control over the state, then the illegal syndicate would also fall under his purview. “If the state is under his control, so is the syndicate. If not, it is a grave concern. Illegal mining happens openly under the watch of the DC, SP, and DFO,” he alleged.
He condemned the transportation of coal via hundreds of trucks daily from Umrongso and criticized the BJP’s dismissal of Congress protests as propaganda.
“No BJP leader has visited the families of the affected workers. Even the Chief Minister has not visited the site. The BJP national president, during his visit to Assam, remained silent on the tragedy,” the Congress leader said.
The Congress leader further claimed that BJP is fueled by “syndicate money.” He questioned the funding behind the construction of Vajpayee Bhawan, stating that the truth is now evident.
“We have lost faith in the CBI and Assam Police, who have become tools for the BJP government. Police officials should uphold ‘Raj Dharma’ and protect the people’s resources, not serve political masters,” he further said.
The APCC’s “In search of truth: Who is the kingpin of the coal syndicate?” campaign spread across all districts as Congress vowed to expose the illegal syndicate.
“We stand united to uncover the truth behind illegal coal mining. No more silence, no more cover-ups. It’s time for accountability and action,” Borah declared.
